(Author's Notes: Hey, all! A few things before we pick up from last chapter's cliffhanger.
First of all, sorry for the longer-than-usual delay. Last weekend, the place I live was hit by a bad hurricane and I was without power for a whole week. I'm doing fine, but the lack of power for that long sucked.
Second, there have been some rumours that this website might get taken down. I don't know if there's any truth to this, but just in case the worst happens, I want to cover my bases. In the situation that this website does suddenly get taken down without notice, I will post A Dragon in Shining Armour and Holy War on AO3 instead. Now, I've been planning on doing that anyways, but I really wanted to edit ADiSA and start posting the edited version week-by-week. However, my ADiSA edits have been on the backburner due to writing Holy War. If this website gets taken down, it wouldn't really be fair to all of you to make you wait for me to post all of my ADiSA and Holy War edits before getting to the most recent chapter, so what I'd do is I'd probably just have to dump all of ADiSA and Holy War onto AO3 as fast as possible (though, even that would take a fair amount of work, so there would likely be a slight delay before a new chapter.) That isn't the most ideal scenario for me, but if the worst case scenario happens, that's what I'll do.
So, if this site gets taken down for whatever reason, don't fret. Just keep track of my social media (tumblr and twitter, should be easy to find) and you should be able to find me on AO3 in that unfortunate situation. Fingers crossed it doesn't come to that.
Lastly, onto the new chapter, this chapter turned out longer than I wanted or anticipated. It's too big to post in one, single chunk, so I'm going to have to post it in two parts, with the second part coming next Sunday. Also, there's no convenient scene break directly down the middle of the chapter, so Part I is going to have to be shorter than Part II, since that's the most logical way for me to split the chapter. Sorry about that, but it means something to look forward to next week!
Anyways, onto the new chapter, after long last. As always, enjoy and please let me know what you think! Thanks for reading!)
Chapter 76: Rebirth (Part I)
"…Hello… Do I know you?"
The question was like an invisible bomb that had detonated in the middle of the crowd. In its aftermath, a deafening silence had swept across the group of gathered guards and Royal Knights.
An unsettled breeze blew across the grassy field outside of the castle wall. The warm, spring wind caused the blades of grass to ripple. The deep, amber sun provided the backdrop as it set in the evening sky.
Alphamon stared in total shock at the short, dark knight that was standing before him. SkullKnightmon merely gazed back up at him with curiosity, unperturbed by the sword that was pointed at his face.
The silence between them lingered extendedly. The only thing that could be heard was the sound of their respective capes flapping in the wind like battle standards.
When Alphamon gazed into SkullKnightmon's eyes, he could see no malice or deceit. He couldn't even see the shrewd cynicism of his former comrade's hardened stare. He could see only wide-eyed wonder and confusion.
For a few moments, Alphamon second-guessed himself, thinking that he might have gotten it wrong. After all, DarkKnightmon was dead. It had only been three years since he had been deleted. There was no way that he could be there now, in an Adult form and so sentient.
However… Alphamon's instincts told him otherwise. SkullKnightmon's suave, baritone voice, while lacking in purpose and experience, was so familiar. His dark face, his piercing eyes, and his distinctive poise… he was positive that they were the same as the SkullKnightmon that he once knew. Yet, this Digimon was speaking like he didn't know Alphamon at all. Was he mistaken? Or was it all an act?
Alphamon's grip tightened around the luminous hilt of the Seiken Grad Alpha. He just wasn't sure. He didn't feel as though he could make a clear judgement with his emotions as raw as they were. He had too many questions. He decided that he had to know more.
Alphamon suddenly deactivated the Seiken Grad Alpha in a flash of light and code. With traces of holy radiance flowing off of his fingers, he instead raised his hand and pointed his palm at the recognizable Digimon.
"Identify yourself," Alphamon demanded, his gaze and voice both sharpening to let the Digimon know that he was serious. "Who are you?"
"I am known as SkullKnightmon," the short knight innocuously explained. He gazed up at Alphamon with almost childlike curiosity in his bright, yellow eyes. "What is your name?"
Alphamon's sharp glare softened a little at SkullKnightmon's curious response, but an apprehensive frown remained on his face. The black Royal Knight tentatively lowered his outstretched arm to his side, deciding the Digimon was compliant enough that it was unnecessary to keep him under aim.
"…My name is Alphamon," Alphamon hesitantly replied.
Seeing Alphamon's hostile stance beginning to soften, Ouryumon's stunned shock became replaced with outrage. The horror at seeing what looked to be a ghost from their past soon turned into the kneejerk impulse to get rid of that ghost. The golden serpent stalked forward, his grip around his scimitar tightening with rage.
"Alphamon, what are you doing?!" Ouryumon questioned incredulously. "That's SkullKnightmon!"
"I did say that that was my name, did I not?" SkullKnightmon inquired in a manner, while genuinely innocent, could have easily been mistaken for sarcasm.
Ouryumon snarled savagely and made his way towards SkullKnightmon, his body quivering with a mixture of rage and fear. everything that happened between him and DarkKnightmon flashed before his eyes. The resentment, the revenge, the hatred… It all came flooding back.
"W-Why you…" he growled, his violet eyes tightening into withering slits. His trembling fingers squeezed the Gairyu Udaijin as he walked up beside Alphamon, getting dangerously close to the SkullKnightmon. "You've got a lot of nerve coming back here, you bastard…"
Alphamon felt Ouryumon's presence beside him. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the glint of Ouryumon's scimitar reflected in the amber sunlight. He immediately swept his arm outwards, putting it in the dragon's path to prevent him from getting any closer. "Ouryumon, stop," he commanded authoritatively.
Ouryumon bit back a snarl and turned to Alphamon with angry and confused eyes. "What? Why?!" he demanded. "Don't you remember who we're dealing with?!"
Alphamon fixed a calm, stern stare with the Captain. "We don't know for sure that this is the same SkullKnightmon. He is acting unusually," he explained. Alphamon turned in the opposite direction to look at the other Royal Knight that was standing behind him to the left. "Omegamon? What's your opinion?"
Omegamon blinked with surprise, Alphamon's direct words snapping him back to his senses. He attempted to force down the alarm and horror that had coursed through his body like a glacial chill when he had first set eyes on the familiar Digimon. SkullKnightmon's voice… his face… Although it had been three years since he last saw him, he recognized them anywhere. It was enough for the Digimon's mere greeting to inflict on him a visceral, unrelenting reaction.
The memories of his imprisonment and his corruption into Omegamon Zwart… They had all come rushing back as soon as he saw SkullKnightmon standing before him. They were memories that he wished he could forget, but ones that he came to realise that he would never be rid of.
"I…" Omegamon paused, attempting to quell the distempered fluctuations in his voice. He took a slow, calming breath and lowered his Garuru Cannon to his side, taking after Alphamon's lead. "I don't know, Alphamon. Without any doubt, it looks and sounds just like him… however, I don't see how it could be…"
Alphamon frowned and kneaded his chin pensively as he gazed down at the shorter black knight. "Hm…" he mused for a few moments. Then, Alphamon took a decisive step forwards.
"Alphamon!" Ouryumon protested, his eyes widening with incredulity as he watched Alphamon begin to kneel.
Alphamon knelt down halfway and leaned forwards so that he was at eye-level with the skull-themed knight. His previous reactive hostility became replaced with even-handed and thoughtful curiosity. He looked SkullKnightmon in the eyes, even as Alphamon's close proximity to the enigmatic knight caused Ouryumon and the guards to be put further on edge.
"SkullKnightmon…" he gently said, his voice softening as he attempted to put his suspicions aside. "…Do you know who I am?" he questioned.
SkullKnightmon blinked and stared at Alphamon, scrutinizing his face in an attempt to answer his question. After a few moments of thought, his eyes relaxed and his wide-eyed gaze returned. "…No, I don't believe so," he responded, his voice slightly apologetic. "Should I know you?"
Alphamon frowned with sober rumination in response to SkullKnightmon's words. He let out a gentle – almost sad - sigh and he tried to ignore the conflicting feelings that emerged inside him… a strange mixture of relief and disappointment.
"I… see…" Alphamon responded with soft, wistful notes to his words. "Well… I am the leader of the Royal Knights."
SkullKnightmon nodded innocently. "The Royal Knights…" he repeated, as if testing the words on his lips. "…And what are those?"
"Oi, come on now, pull the other one!" Triceramon interjected. "You can't expect us to believe you've never 'eard of the Royal Knights! Wot are you playing at?"
"I don't buy this innocent act for a minute!" Ouryumon exclaimed with a growl. "He's obviously lying!"
Alphamon's inquisitive eyes were penetrating as he attempted to detect any deceit within SkullKnightmon's eyes and movements. While he was aware that he had been fooled by him before, he felt fairly confident that he was telling the truth. He could see nothing other than bewilderment.
"SkullKnightmon…" Alphamon tentatively addressed him, hoping to learn more. "Where do you come from?"
SkullKnightmon hesitated for a moment, taking a few moments to think. "…I… come from all over," he uncertainly replied. "I have been travelling…"
"That's not an answer…" Ouryumon antagonistically stated as he glowered at the dark knight.
"Hm…" SkullKnightmon mused, thinking about it a little more. "I suppose I come from the Village of Beginnings. I left there to travel the Digital World around two years ago."
SkullKnightmon's answer sunk into the hearts of all those who were around him. Alphamon's eyes widened with revelation for a mere moment before creasing into a dire frown. "That… cannot be…"
Omegamon stared at him with stunned shock and confusion before quickly looking to Alphamon. "Two years…?"
Stunned by the revelation, Ouryumon's jaw hung open before slowly tightening up, the corner of his mouth pulling back into a fearsome snarl. "I knew it…" he seethed.
"SkullKnightmon, how old are you…? How long were you at the Village of Beginnings?" Alphamon inquired.
"They said that I was only at the Village for one year from hatching, so I must be three years of age," SkullKnightmon nonchalantly explained, as if he didn't find that odd at all.
"Only three years…?" Alphamon wondered, blinking with confusion. "How could that be possible…? You are in an Adult-level form right now."
SkullKnightmon merely gazed at Alphamon with nonplussed eyes. "I am uncertain," he admitted. "The village caretakers were as shocked as anybody. They said that the speed of my growth was incredibly rare… I was already a Child level after a year. However, I don't remember much before that… only fleeting memories."
"Three years…" Alphamon repeated, closing his eyes and stroking his temples. He knew of the significance of that number… It had been roughly three years since DarkKnightmon's death at his hands. That could only mean one thing…
"SkullKnightmon…" Alphamon spoke, his words heavy and serious this time. "Why are you here?"
SkullKnightmon paused. A ponderous frown formed behind his visor as he contemplated the question. He was about to lower his spear arm, but one twitch from Leftenant Triceramon made him reconsider.
"…I don't know. I suppose I just ended up here," SkullKnightmon responded.
"Oh, come on! Don't give us that crap!" Ouryumon growled as he glared down at the short knight. "You just happened to show up on our front doorstep? You expect us to fall for that?!"
SkullKnightmon gazed innocently back at Ouryumon, which only served to make the dragon angrier. "Well, I have been travelling, you see," he calmly clarified.
"Travelling?" Alphamon wondered. "Where to?"
"I don't know, exactly," SkullKnightmon explained. "Somewhere… Everywhere. I have been travelling all over Eniac."
Alphamon frowned in response to his cryptic answer. It left him with a lot of questions, but SkullKnightmon didn't sound as though he was being intentionally obscurant...
"I see…" Alphamon replied even-handedly. He gazed at SkullKnightmon softly, unable to help but feel a bit of pity for the amnesiac Digimon. "That must have been difficult, SkullKnightmon… travelling all alone when you know so little about the world."
SkullKnightmon thought about Alphamon's words for a moment. "Oh, I don't know… I have found that most of the Digimon that I met on my travels were generally quite kind and helpful," he explained with the airy cadence of hope in his voice.
SkullKnightmon looked down, glancing at a few scuffs on the surface of his armour. "Not every Digimon was so kind…" he gently reflected, his words becoming a wistful murmur. However, he looked back up at Alphamon optimistically. "But… I believe that, on the whole, Digimon are quite compassionate."
At SkullKnightmon's innocent words, Alphamon couldn't help but feel a tender smile form on his face. "Yes…" he responded, gazing at the young knight with a burgeoning empathy within him. "I feel the same way. I believe that, at their core, Digimon are good beings. No Digimon is born evil…"
SkullKnightmon nodded. "I think I am inclined to agree, Alphamon," he concurred with a light expression in his eyes. Then, he turned his head and looked at his arms, which he continued to hold above his head. "…May I put my arms down now? They are getting somewhat tired."
"Yes, that would be fine," Alphamon permitted, "but do not make any sudden movements."
Ouryumon gawked, aghast with incredulity as Alphamon allowed SkullKnightmon to stand at ease. It seemed to him that Alphamon had dropped his guard and was believing every word that SkullKnightmon was saying. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.
"Alphamon…" Ouryumon spoke uneasily, struggling to hold back his objections. He gnashed his teeth together in an attempt to bite his tongue. He had a lot of choice words that he wanted to say on the matter, but he also didn't want to be insubordinate and undermine Alphamon's decisions in front of the troops.
Omegamon watched Alphamon quietly from beside him. He held ambivalent thoughts on the matter and he wasn't sure what to do. On one hand, his feelings were very raw concerning SkullKnightmon and his potential past. On the other, it was clear to him that, whoever this Digimon was, it wasn't the same DarkKnightmon who he once knew…
The white knight inspected his dark counterpart. It seemed to him that Alphamon was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and he trusted Alphamon's decisions absolutely.
"Alphamon, what should we do?" Omegamon asked him, hoping for a bit of certainty in this troubling situation.
"Aye, what would you like us to do about this… intruder, Sir?" Leftenant-at-Arms Triceramon questioned, eyeing the SkullKnightmon hostilely.
Alphamon gazed across at SkullKnightmon, making sure to stay at eye level with him. "SkullKnightmon, I am going to have to ask you to come with us. I have more things that I need to ask you, and this isn't the place to do so."
"I suppose so, but why?" SkullKnightmon wondered. "I feel as though I am being regarded with suspicion."
"You're damn right you are!" Ouryumon exclaimed angrily.
"Why is that?" SkullKnightmon asked, looking directly at Ouryumon.
Ouryumon growled and swept his arm out passionately. "Because you took me and Omegamon prisoner, tried to overthrow the Royal Knights, tried to kill Alphamon, and upset the natural order of the world!" he fierily informed him. "It's kinda hard to forget!"
SkullKnightmon blinked with shock and confusion. "Oh… oh dear... I think you have me confused with somebody else. I… I couldn't possibly have done that," he fretted.
Alphamon shot Ouryumon a reprimanding leer. He felt the Captain had overstepped his bounds and told SkullKnightmon more than he ought to have. "Captain…" he admonished him before turning back to the subject of Ouryumon's ire. "SkullKnightmon, we must establish the facts. You remind us of a Digimon who we used to know… We merely wish to determine your past and your intentions. You will not be harmed."
"I… I see," SkullKnightmon responded, a little overwhelmed. "Well, then… I suppose I had better cooperate."
"I appreciate that. However, given the high security risk that we are faced with, we must ask that you remain under guard in our dungeons," Alphamon informed him, although his voice left no room for debate. "It is merely a safety protocol while we establish the facts about you."
"Very well… You seem like a reasonable Digimon," SkullKnightmon conceded as he looked at the black knight. "…I trust you, Alphamon."
At these words, Alphamon suddenly turned away. He began walking through the soldiers as a pained wince threatened to flicker on his face. "…Thank you for your cooperation," he stoically answered. "Leftenant, please take him to the dungeons. I will lead the way."
"Right, then. Come on, you. Get a wiggle on," Triceramon ordered, getting up behind SkullKnightmon to make sure that he didn't make a break for it. "Two guards, with me."
"Very well," SkullKnightmon complied without any resistance. "This might not be so bad. Perhaps you will be able to help me too."
Ouryumon let out an indignant grunt as he watched SkullKnightmon being led towards the castle. His passionate, violet eyes fixed fierily onto Alphamon's back, watching as the black knight led the way to the castle through the ring of guards. After a few moments, Ouryumon broke his gaze and he grimaced. Without another word, he flapped his metal wings and began flying back to the castle on his own.
SkullKnightmon walked along down the path leading to the front gate, not particularly minding that he was flanked on all sides by suspicious castle guards. "Oh, pardon me for asking, but might I be able to have some nourishment as well? It is getting late and I am quite famished…" he innocently requested.
Omegamon watched with cool, blue eyes as SkullKnightmon was guided towards their headquarters. He kept calm on the outside, maintaining his role as the dutiful and indomitable white knight.
"Alright," Omegamon stated, looking around at the rest of the castle guards, who breathed a collective sigh of relief when SkullKnightmon was gone. "All of you, return to your posts. Four guards who are currently off-duty, follow them to the dungeons and double up the security there. Alphamon and I will see that this situation is dealt with."
"Yes, Sir!" the castle guards obeyed, all going and making their way back inside the castle as well.
Omegamon watched as the guards all walked off. However, his piercing eyes remained fixated on SkullKnightmon.
However calm and confident he seemed on the outside, his insides were a swirling mess of worry, anger, fear, and guilt.
When the guards were far enough away, Omegamon swallowed and looked down with a grimace at his Grey Arm and Garuru Arm.
The waning sunset caused only faint rays of deep amber light to seep through and onto his back. As night closed in, the wide moons peeked over the roof of the castle, their pearly rays piercing through the dusk shadows and onto the front of his body.
He watched as the moonlight glinted off the face of his sword like a flickering candle. It was only then, as he watched the light dancing along the flat of the Grey Sword that he realised that his arms were shaking.
Omegamon closed his eyes and lowered his arms. He took a deep breath and began walking, doing his best to push through his lingering fear…
The white knight walked towards the castle, towards the approaching night, despite the unease that he felt inside him.
"DarkKnightmon… Could it really be you?"
It had been a tense night at the castle.
After the commotion at sunset, Alphamon had ensured that SkullKnightmon was seen to and guarded under lock and key. Then, he had found Dukemon, Gankoomon, and Jesmon, and informed them of what had transpired.
The night passed without further incident, although nobody was able to get a good night's sleep.
It was around noon of the next morning. The sky was cloudy and grey. Rather than the soothing warmth of the Spring sun, the air was moist and temperate. The heavy veil of clouds threatened rain, scattering small droplets around Splendor's Reach.
At around this time, another messenger sent for Alphamon. Seven figures had been spotted in the distance, approaching the castle from down the road. Though, this time, it was not a potential enemy. Instead, it was the campaigning Royal Knights.
Alphamon stood beneath the castle gate, right at the entrance to the courtyard. He had been joined by the other Royal Knights: Omegamon, Dukemon, Gankoomon, and Jesmon all came to see as well, having been informed of their return.
Alphamon stood ready to welcome them. He was positioned on the other side of the gate, watching as the seven figures walked across the drawbridge.
He looked on with troubled eyes as Duftmon crossed the bridge spanning the moat. The taciturn tactician gazed at Alphamon and merely acknowledged him with a reserved nod.
However, Alphamon 's attention was drawn to what he saw behind Duftmon. Four more Royal Knights followed behind Duftmon, limping across the bridge. Magnamon and Craniamon were covered in bruises and dents. They hobbled unevenly, slouched forwards slightly out of sheer exhaustion. Their heads were bowed and their eyes gazed at the ground, too ashamed to look Alphamon in the eyes.
Examon followed behind them, limping and using the hilt of the Ambrosius as a crutch. His wings and limbs were covered in wounds and coagulated blood, and he looked to be having trouble keeping himself up. Despite the cool and detached expression that was typical of the dragon knight, he seemed as though he was lost in thought. He barely registered the other Royal Knights waiting for them on the opposite side of the drawbridge.
Lastly, Sleipmon brought up the rear, although it looked more as if he was just lagging behind. It soon became clear why. His legs were covered in blood and he could hardly stand on them; instead, he merely hovered behind so that he didn't have to put weight on them. Not only did his body look in terrible shape, but he looked hopeless. He mutedly trudged across the bridge, overtaking the other Royal Knights and proceeding towards Alphamon and the others. His movements seemed perfunctory, and his expression was desolate.
Alphamon watched direly as the five Royal Knights returned home, battered and bruised. It didn't take much guesswork for him to know that things hadn't gone well.
Alphamon, Omegamon, Dukemon, Jesmon, and Gankoomon all let out sighs of relief upon seeing Magnamon and Craniamon safe and sound. However, the extent of their wounds prevented them from being too overjoyed.
As soon as Dukemon saw the severity of the Royal Knights' injuries, he began dashing over to them. "Guys!" he shouted, making no attempt to hide the worry in his voice.
Omegamon's eyes hardened and he began striding forwards as well. Seeing the states that his friends were in, as well as realising that not all of the Royal Knights were there, he became worried. "Are you all okay? Where are the others?" he urgently questioned.
"They are fine. They are all back with the army," Duftmon flatly explained, strolling over to Alphamon.
Alphamon gave Duftmon a slight nod before turning as Sleipmon seemed to be approaching him. "Sleipmon, are you alright? Do you need-… Sleipmon?"
Sleipmon merely kept walking past Alphamon, giving him only a small, cursory glance. "…I'm sorry, Alphamon. I failed," was all he could say, stopping just for a moment beside him. Then, he touched his pained legs down on the cobbled ground and kept on walking past them.
Jesmon frowned with extreme worry as Sleipmon walked past him and Gankoomon. "Sleipmon-senpai?" he asked. He could see the pain and distress on Sleipmon's face. There was a heavy atmosphere lingering not just around him, but all of the returning Royal Knights.
Gankoomon stood next to him with folded arms. His grip tightened around the sleeve of his body suit, and the corner of his mouth curled into a scowl.
"…So, it's as bad as Ouryumon said," Gankoomon stated.
"It is worse, I'm afraid," Duftmon responded, stopping in front of Alphamon. "We have experienced… significant setbacks," he admitted straightforwardly. He stood with poise and control, doing his best not to let the shame show on his face.
"It's partially our fault…" Magnamon explained as Omegamon helped him walk the rest of the way.
"Shamefully, yes," Craniamon concurred, wincing as he stubbornly walked into the courtyard on his own.
"Never mind that right now," Alphamon responded, looking across at the four wounded knights. "The four of you need to see Duskmon immediately. Can all of you make it there?"
"We will manage…" Examon agreed as Dukemon slung his arm over his shoulders to help him walk.
"Omegamon and I will make sure they all get there," Dukemon insisted, keeping his arm tight on the large dragon.
Alphamon nodded. "All of you need some rest, and that is not up for debate," he informed them.
"Fine… I'm too tired to argue anyways," Craniamon grumbled as he walked after Sleipmon.
Alphamon was quietly relieved that they all seemed to be compliant. He didn't want to have to drag them to the medical bay.
It was only then, as Examon moved out of the way to get by him, that Alphamon was able to notice the remaining two Digimon. He saw, passing under the gate, the familiar form of Karatenmon, who seemed to be walking with a smaller Digimon clothed in a mage's outfit.
"…Wizardmon?" Alphamon asked, blinking with surprised.
Wizardmon looked at Alphamon shyly, clutching his wand close to his body nervously, before giving the knight a sheepish wave.
"It is a long story," Duftmon answered with a sigh. "One best saved for a better time."
"Very well," Alphamon agreed. He returned Karatenmon's nod as the spymaster passed by with their sort-of prisoner.
When all that remained was himself, Duftmon, Gankoomon, and Jesmon, Alphamon gazed at the tactician questioningly.
"So… is it true? We lost the battle against the Demon Lords as well as the Arcane Ruins?" Alphamon asked.
Duftmon frowned a little, but answered with a single nod. "Yes…" he answered honestly. He closed his eyes and bowed his head just slightly. "And, as the Acting Commander of the Royal Knights, I take full responsibility for the failure."
Alphamon couldn't help but blink with surprise. "…You do?" he asked. It shocked him to see Duftmon putting his pride aside.
"Naturally," Duftmon answered, opening his eyes and standing upright with poise. "I made a few crucial tactical miscalculations… I should not have let Examon and Sleipmon go to the Arcane Ruins alone, nor should have I left so many Royal Knights back at the castle. I will have a full after-action report written and submitted on the system by tomorrow."
"There… is no need to be so prompt about it," Alphamon assured him.
As they spoke, Gankoomon simply stared at Duftmon with near-disbelief. He never thought he'd see the day where the strategist would ever admit making a mistake… Yet, here he was. Even the smug, condescending tactician was able to put his pride aside and admit that he was wrong.
Gankoomon clenched his fist with frustration.
"…So, you were outgunned? That's why you guys lost?" Gankoomon bluntly asked, looking Duftmon right in the eyes.
Duftmon turned his head and reciprocated the stare, eyeing Gankoomon curiously. "That was the reason that Examon and Sleipmon were defeated, yes, more or less," he answered straightforwardly. "However, the reason why we had to retreat from Barbamon's army was due to other specific circumstances."
Gankoomon grimaced guiltily. His brows furrowed and his jaw tightened.
It dawned on him… He chose not to go with the Royal Knights. Rather than going to fight, he allowed his friends to do the fighting for him. He cursed himself; he had remained home because he was feeling sorry for himself. He thought, maybe if he had gone with them… maybe he could have done something. Anything had to have been better than what he did, he felt.
"…I should've been there," Gankoomon suddenly spoke. His gruff voice was soft… distant, even.
Alphamon and Duftmon both looked over at the red-haired knight with surprise.
"Sensei?" Jesmon asked, forgetting himself for a moment.
Without another word, Gankoomon suddenly turned away from them. He began walking away quietly, his jacket fluttering against his back with every step.
He needed to be alone. He couldn't bear to be there right now.
Duftmon watched with a quiet gaze as Gankoomon strode away from them. He didn't question it. For once, he didn't feel as if he needed to. He understood…
Duftmon let out a soft sigh and then turned back to Alphamon. "Alphamon… If we may?" he requested, gesturing with his arm to the castle. "There is much that we have to discuss."
"Right… Of course," Alphamon agreed, nodding. He turned to the junior Royal Knight beside them. "Jesmon, you are welcome to join us, if you like."
Jesmon frowned and hesitated, looking down the road to Gankoomon. His sensei seemed upset. He wondered if he should say something to him… but then he remembered that he wasn't his sensei anymore.
He wasn't sure what he should do at a time like this. There was so much going on, he supposed he should just stick with Alphamon. "I… Yes, senpai," he agreed.
"Let's go inside," Alphamon suggested. "Omegamon and Dukemon will want to know what is going on too, as will Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode."
"Very well. Let us convene in the council chambers," Duftmon agreed. "I will bring you up to speed, and you all can tell me how your meeting with Yggdrasil went."
Alphamon went quiet for a few moments. At that moment, he decided that he should only convey the partial account of what he and Omegamon had been told.
"Very well," Alphamon agreed.
He walked past the two knight and began leading the way inside the castle citadel, prompting Duftmon and Jesmon to follow him.
With his back turned to them, Alphamon's gaze grew steely.
At the moment, there was a little too much chaos without him adding that little bit more to the mix.
He knew that it was best to focus on many problems that were already before them. He could worry about the rest later…
"So… you mean to tell me…"
Duftmon slowly paced back and forth in front of Alphamon, rubbing his temples with unparalleled exasperation. Standing beside him were Omegamon, Dukemon, Jesmon, and Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode, all of whom had grave expressions plastered across their faces.
Duftmon's fingers kneaded his forehead while a vein throbbed above his vexed eyes. "…that, in addition to Belphemon being awakened, our forces having been forced to retreat from battle, the Three Great Angels being in shambles, and Lucemon capturing the Arcane Ruins… Leviamon had also been loitering around the castle? Also, to compound that, a Digimon who you believe is the reincarnation of SkullKnightmon is currently sitting in our dungeons?"
"…To put it bluntly, yes," Alphamon answered with a nervous smile.
"Well, when you put it like that, it sounds pretty bad…" Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode noted dryly.
"And, you say that we are being forced to give up Saversburg as well…" Omegamon grimly stated.
Duftmon let out a long, irritated sigh. "Yes… Unfortunately, it was a strategic necessity in light of the changing circumstances. All we can do is hope that they do not desecrate the enlightened city too much in the short time that we are permitting them to occupy it," he explained.
"It is disconcerting, to be sure… but, at least the residents were given enough time to evacuate," Alphamon replied, attempting to find a silver lining. "What are RhodoKnightmon, Dynasmon, and UlforceVeedramon doing?"
"They are securing more defensible positions further south with the Order military and the Saversburg army," Duftmon informed them. "I made certain to inform them that it is imperative that they hold that stretch of land between Saversburg and the Neutral Zone and the Republic. Tactimon knows that as well. If the Demon Lords feel emboldened and move south into those territories… it would be a strategic disaster for us. Fortunately, the retreat has bought us some time."
"How much time?" Dukemon questioned fervently.
"A week at the most," Duftmon replied, side-eyeing the crimson knight. "Hopefully in half a week's time, the other four will be healed enough for us to reinforce the army. I am confident that we can spare that much time to reassess, but no longer than that."
"I hope that gives them enough time to recover," Omegamon stated. "They all looked very injured."
"Their wounds will heal easily enough, with sufficient time, rest, and magic," Alphamon replied, his frown softening dourly. "Their hearts, however…"
"Poor Sleipmon… He must be in bits," Imperialdramon added heavily, looking down with wistful eyes. "Cherubimon was a kind Digimon. He didn't deserve to have that happen to him."
"Damn it!" Dukemon uttered, turning away with frustration. He stormed over to one of the seats around the round table. With clenched fists, he reached up and placed his hands on the back of the chair, restraining himself from lashing out at it in anger. "Damn Demon Lords… Toying with peoples' lives like that…"
"Dukemon…" Omegamon said calmingly, looking over at the crimson knight with concern.
"Cherubimon's deletion and Seraphimon's capture will have a profound effect on the Heavenly Choir," Duftmon mused logically. "Can we even count on their support any longer?"
"Ophanimon is no pushover," Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode assured him. "She won't take this lying down… The dire circumstances that they find themselves in might even make her reach out to us."
"Perhaps…" Duftmon considered. He thought for a few moments before turning back to Alphamon. "What did Yggdrasil tell you? Did It give you any directives regarding the current crises?"
"Well, Yggdrasil confirmed Jesmon's knighthood and bestowed him its blessing," Alphamon explained. "As for everything else… I think it would be best if I waited to tell you the details of what Yggdrasil said."
Dukemon turned around and eyed Alphamon, feeling as though his presence was the reason for his reluctance. "I can wait outside if you need," he dryly offered, trying to smile as he did so.
"No, no. That won't be necessary, Dukemon," Alphamon was quick to insist. "I want you to hear what Yggdrasil said as well, now that Leviamon has gone. I just think it would be best to wait until the others are feeling up to it. I would rather not have to repeat myself."
"Alright, alright…" Dukemon conceded.
"I'm more concerned about the Mammon in the room," Imperialdramon: Paladin Mode mentioned with concern, scratching the back of his head as he looked around at the other five Royal Knights.
Omegamon stiffened a little upon hearing Imperialdramon's words. There was more than one Mammon in the room as far as he was concerned, although he wasn't sure how much Imperialdramon knew about it at this point. The white knight kept his uneasy glance away from Dukemon, focusing solely on their founder.
"Er… which is that, Imperialdramon?" he tentatively asked.
"SkullKnightmon," Imperialdramon responded with a worried frown. "The one who's sitting in our dungeons."
"Yes, I have been wondering about that worrisome malcontent as well," Duftmon agreed with a curt nod. "Do we really believe that this is the same Digimon as the one who nearly overthrew the Order?" He looked at Imperialdramon and the other three founding knights present. "You four would know better than Jesmon or I."
"It's him…" Dukemon answered grimly. "I'm sure of it."
Duftmon eyed the crimson knight dryly. "Is there any evidence to back up this claim or are you basing it merely on 'intuition'?" he sarcastically added.
Alphamon gazed over at Omegamon, Dukemon, and Imperialdramon, nodding slightly. "We all visited him in the dungeon last night, along with Magnamon, and we each agreed that he is identical in speech and appearance to the SkullKnightmon that we knew," he explained. "Furthermore, the timeline that SkullKnightmon provided us with matches up perfectly with our final confrontation with DarkKnightmon."
The leopard tactician frowned and stroked his chin pensively, still not entirely convinced. "Anybody could have heard about the Battle of the World Tree. Although too fresh to be in the history books, such a blasphemous and high-profile affair as DarkKnightmon's attack has spread in the popular imagination, from what I have heard. That was the unfortunate reason as to why we had to reveal our sordid past involving DarkKnightmon and his coup."
"The other reason being that it was the right thing to do," Dukemon made sure to add, giving Duftmon a friendly but contentious look.
"Duftmon does have a point though," Imperialdramon admitted. "Through my travels, I can confirm that gossip about DarkKnightmon was rampant in bars all over the Digital World, even in Iliad. To certain Digimon, he became something of a folk hero – or anti-hero, I suppose is more accurate. To others, they were just fascinated to hear that the seemingly pure and flawless Royal Knights had a deep, dark secret."
"That's terrible…" Jesmon murmured with a bothered frown.
"What exactly are you suggesting, Duftmon?" Omegamon inquired, noting the scepticism in his voice.
Duftmon closed his eyes. "…Could it be that this SkullKnightmon is merely a pretender? However similar they seem, his face does not exactly have discernible characteristics, and a voice can be modified," he proposed. "Your memories may be skewed and the consensus that you reached may be based on external factors. There are discrepancies, as I see it; you say that this SkullKnightmon is conveniently an amnesiac, for one."
"The amnesia would be a by-product from the reformatting and rebirth process," Alphamon answered.
"I realise that, and I am not saying that you are wrong," Duftmon explained. "However, we cannot rule out the possibility that this SkullKnightmon is merely an opportunistic charlatan who is taking advantage of DarkKnightmon's death to come up with an easy backstory for his confidence trick."
"I understand your doubts, Duftmon. I have many of my own," Alphamon explained. "However, if this Digimon were merely a charlatan, then he is either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid. To disguise himself as our greatest enemy and arrive on our doorstep… He very nearly could have been vaporized, and he only succeeded in landing himself in our dungeons. I don't believe that your hypothesis is very likely under the circumstances."
"I agree. Maybe if he was pretending somewhere else, but not here," Imperialdramon agreed. "And anyways, we had Karatenmon go down and perform his Satori ability to read SkullKnightmon's heart… He didn't appear to be lying."
"Very well, I concede your point," Duftmon answered, folding his arms as he mulled over the current problem. "However… The theory that you propose is almost as perplexing… SkullKnightmon has been alive for no more than three years, and, yet, he is an Adult level with sophisticated, sentient thought?"
"Have there really been no other cases of this happening, Duftmon?" Dukemon asked the academic strategist.
"From my past research, it is not impossible for a Digimon to completely bypass adolescence… However, it is extraordinarily rare, and the few who have shown cases of accelerated evolution have almost always been influenced by some sort of external factor such as the rapid absorption of data or abnormalities with their overwrite sequence," Duftmon explained. "This would be extremely unprecedented, Alphamon, hence my doubts."
Alphamon sighed and nodded. "I don't deny that this whole situation has incongruities… Not just the accelerated aging, but there is also his memory…" he mused with a worried look in his eyes.
"His memory?" Dukemon asked. "I thought you said…"
"He does display the amnesia typical of a reformatted Digimon," Alphamon explained. "However… some of the things that he said to me…" The black knight frowned deeply, his hand reaching up to reflexively rub his chin. "Is it really a coincidence that he just happened to end up at our castle? He said that he felt drawn to it… It was almost as if he remembers some things."
"Maybe he just meant he was curious," Imperialdramon suggested, shrugging. "If he really is the reformatted DarkKnightmon, then he can't possibly remember, could he?"
"I don't know… What you're saying makes sense, Imperialdramon, but is it possible for fragments of memories to remain?" Alphamon wondered, looking at Duftmon questioningly.
"I… cannot be certain," Duftmon hesitantly responded. "In almost all cases, a reformatted Digimon would have absolutely no memories of their previous incarnations. Even powerful memories such as loved ones are erased. There has been some documentations of exceptions… but they are anomalies and the field of study is murky enough that there is no consensus as to a cause for these irregularities or whether they even exist. Some scientists believe that there is an underlying reason for the alleged memories, while others believe that they are mere glitches, and others insist that the subjects are merely making false claims."
"Glitches…" Dukemon bitterly murmured.
Alphamon sighed and scratched his cheek. "I suppose all that we can do is ask him questions and see if he remembers anything else," he explained.
"Is that wise?" Omegamon questioned, looking at his black counterpart with a worried frown. "What if jogging his memory causes him to remember everything?"
"If his amnesia is that unstable, then we are already in trouble regardless," Alphamon answered, lowering his hand and placing it on the table. "Unfortunately, we must test his memory to find out more about him."
"Yes, that seems to be the only recourse at the moment," Duftmon agreed with an erudite nod. "If he truly remembers fragments from his previous life, then only by analyzing his memories will we be able to confirm this theory."
"Do you guys want me to talk to him?" Imperialdramon offered, looking around at the founding Royal Knights. "I don't mind, if you'd rather not."
"No, but thank you, Imperialdramon," Alphamon responded, shaking his head with a reconciled sigh. "If anybody is going to do it, then it should be me…"
Omegamon inspected the Aloof Hermit with concern. He knew that this was probably affecting Alphamon more than he was letting on. After all, he and DarkKnightmon had a long and tumultuous history. "…Are you sure, Alphamon? One of us could go with you," he suggested.
"It's alright, Omegamon. I'd like to speak to Wizardmon while I'm down there, anyways," Alphamon assured him. He gazed towards the door, a serious expression crawling onto his brows. "I'd like to hear what he says for myself…"
"Alright… I'm going to see how Sleipmon and the others are," Dukemon added.
"Very well," Duftmon agreed. "Alphamon, make sure to report back to us with your findings. And Dukemon, ensure that the other Royal Knights are imparted with the knowledge that we require them to be in fighting fit shape as swiftly as possible, so their compliance with Duskmon's orders are mandatory."
"I'll make sure they rest," Dukemon answered with a slight smile.
Duftmon nodded and brushed his locks of blond hair back neatly. "And I shall complete my after-action report by the end of the day. Alphamon, I would like you to read it when you have the chance."
"I will. Thank you, Duftmon," Alphamon responded. He began to turn making to leave, eager to speak to SkullKnightmon once again.
"Um, Senpai…?" Jesmon tentatively spoke up before they all left. "…What happens if he is DarkKnightmon?"
Alphamon stopped upon hearing Jesmon's question. That seemed to be the question that everybody was thinking, and it was one with no easy answer.
"…If that is the case, then we will find a way to deal with it after careful consideration," Alphamon assured him, offering a small smile over his shoulder. "I am not worried about SkullKnightmon just yet."
Alphamon nodded farewell and continued walking out of the council room, into the great hall as he made his way to the dungeons.
He was lying, but he couldn't let the others know that. If he was calm, then they would be calm. He didn't want to let on how shaken he was at seeing SkullKnightmon once again.
Alphamon closed his eyes as he strode down the ornate yet empty great hall. This had been the site of DarkKnightmon's first rebellion… the first time he and DarkKnightmon had truly come to blows. So much time had passed since then, but the memories refused to leave. It was as if DarkKnightmon was haunting him like a spectre.
The lone knight sighed and rubbed his forehead as he reached the end of the great hall. He stopped at its entrance and cast a glance over his shoulder to the long hall that stretched out behind him.
"DarkKnightmon…" he wistfully pondered. "Even in death, you will not allow me to escape you... Behind every corner, you seem to be there… You follow me like you are my very own shadow."
Alphamon turned forwards, his eyes glimmering red as he gazed with bitter resolve into the dimly-lit dark.
"No… You are my shadow… And I will not run from you any longer."